FOR THE RECORD

MORE SAIGON: Unlike "Les Misérables" (Alain Boublil and Claude Michel Schönberg's first collaboration), "Miss Saigon" has not received multiple recordings. In fact, the only English-language recording has, until now, been the original London cast recording that starred Tony winners Lea Salonga and Jonathan Pryce. New from Broadway Angel Records is a two-CD set that preserves the complete score, featuring cast members from the many international companies backed by a 73-piece orchestra. Joanna Ampil, who starred in the London and Australian productions gives a vocally colorful performance as Kim, and Kevin Gray (left) makes a powerful Engineer.

RAINBOW HIGH: Harold Arlen, the late composer of "Over the Rainbow" and "Stormy Weather," was recently honored at the annual Southland Theatre Artist's Goodwill Event. For the eleventh year a host of celebrities--including Obba Babatundé, Shaun Cassidy, Joanna Gleason (above) and Judith Ivey--came together to raise their voices and money for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Available on two CDs from DRG, highlights include 'nita Whitaker's "When the Sun Comes Out," Dale Kristen's "Let's Fall in Love" and Carol Woods's "Blues in the Night."  

SOUND BYTES: RCA Victor has released the musical numbers from the recent TV production of "Bye Bye Birdie" that starred Jason Alexander, Vanessa Williams, Chynna Phillips and that Tony-winning Rose, Tyne Daly . . . Cabaret singer KT Sullivan has recorded an album of Harold Arlen songs. Titled "Sing My Heart," the CD is available on DRG.

SPOTLIGHT:

FLORENCE LACEY

Stage Credits: "Hello, Dolly!"; "Evita"; "The Grand Tour"; "Styne After Styne"; "Carousel"; "Gypsy."

One of the highlights of the current "Hello, Dolly!" production on Broadway is Florence Lacey's touching portrayal of Irene Molloy, a role she played in an earlier revival as well. Her tender but full-voiced rendition of Jerry Herman's "Ribbons Down My Back" is vocally the high point of the show, which has been preserved on the recent cast recording released by Varèse Sarabande. Lacey also starred on Broadway and in Europe in Lloyd Webber and Rice's "Evita," and she was the only American other than the original's Patti LuPone to be recorded. Available at NYC's Footlight Records and other import record stores, Lacey's "Evita" (Polydor) is one tough cookie: Listen to her hurl out Eva's speech to the descamisados after finishing a moving "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" or the way she attacks the high notes of "Rainbow High." Perhaps, there's another Norma Desmond in the making . . . Lacey seems ready for her close-up.

For a complete list of recent and forthcoming theatre recordings, videos and CD-ROMS, check out the Recordings section of Playbill On-Line.